The Concorde Model (G-CONC)
G-CONC is a 40% scale model of Concorde in British Airways livery that, until recently, was situated on the roundabout at the entrance to the tunnel which passes under the northern runway at Heathrow Airport. It was built in 4 main parts; an 80ft long central fuselage section, to which the wings and tail fin were attached. The completed model was placed on the roundabout in September 1990 and was monitored by CCTV and surrounded by an infra-red perimeter alarm that was connected to the local Heathrow police station to ensure it was not vandalised.
When the lease for this prime advertising spot was due for renewal in early 2007 the cost had risen to over £1.5M per year. BA did not feel that another 6 year deal suited their marketing requirements - especially with their move to the new Terminal 5 due imminently. They could also not justify keeping a model of an aircraft that they no longer flew. Ultimately this meant that a decision had to be made as to what to do with G-CONC. BA had two options available to them - donate it to a museum, or scrap it.
When it was announced that British Airways were looking for a new home for G-CONC, Brooklands Museum began negotiations with the airline to have the model donated to them. In early March 2007 it was officially announced that Brooklands had been succesful in their bid for the model and that it was to be dismantled and transported to the museum at the end of that month. The logistics of the task were carefully worked out by Fab Signs and Structures UK who are a company that specialises in building and transporting large exhibtion structures. During the nights of 29th and 30th March G-CONC was dismantled and in the early hours of Friday 30th the model was transported the short journey to Brooklands. Once the model had arrived at Brooklands work began on some much need restoration. This was carried out by some of the same volunteers who have spent the last three years working on Delta Golf. G-CONC was then re-assembled at the museum site and went on display as part of the Brooklands Centennary celebrations over the weekend of June 16th-17th.
Having been on display at the museum for over a year, the final display location for G-CONC has now been confirmed. With planning permission now granted, G-CONC will be moved to a spot adjacent to the roundabout at the entrance to Brooklands and neighbouring Mercedes-Benz World, between Brooklands Drive and Wellington Way (see photo). The move is due to take place towards the end of November and in the meantime final restoration work will be completed on the model. This will consist of minor fibreglass repairs and repainting it into the same livery as G-BBDG. The time will also be used to prepare the site for G-CONC's arrival, including construction of the metal supports and concrete platform to support it. Once the move has been completed the model will serve not only as an ongoing advertisement for British Airways and Brooklands Museum, but also as a tribute to the hundreds of local people who worked on the construction of Concorde at the BAC factories in Weybridge during the 60s and 70s.
G-CONC Restoration & Rebuild Photos:
